The Commission adopted its 2024 Work Programme, which puts a strong focus on simplifying rules for citizens and businesses across the European Union. This follows up on President von der Leyen’s commitment to reduce reporting requirements by 25%, in line with our strategy to boost the EU’s long-term competitiveness and to provide relief for SMEs. The Work Programme […]
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Electric bicycles are not considered motor vehicles, declares the Court of Justice of the European Union
A cyclist riding an electric bicycle on a public road near Bruges (Belgium) was the victim of a serious accident: he was struck by a car and was seriously injured. He died several months later. In the course of the subsequent court proceedings concerning a potential right to compensation, a dispute arose with respect to […]
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Council agrees to tighten CO2 emission standards for heavy duty vehicles
The Council has reached an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal to update and strengthen the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The aim of the proposal is to further reduce CO₂ emissions in the road transport sector and to introduce new targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040. The new rules will contribute to […]
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EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge operation to bring aid to Gaza
Following the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas terrorists against Israel and the aftermath, which has led to a disastrous humanitarian situation for the people of Gaza, the EU continues to step up its emergency assistance to the Palestinian people. The EU is now launching an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge operation consisting of several flights to Egypt to […]
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European Commission proposes measures to reduce microplastic pollution from plastic pellets
The Commission is proposing for the first time measures to prevent microplastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets. Currently, between 52 and 184 thousand tonnes of pellets are released in the environment each year due to mishandling throughout the entire supply chain. The proposal aims to ensure that all operators handling pellets in […]
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The European Council will discuss the current situation in Israel and the region this afternoon
Video conference of the members of the European Council, 17 October 2023 Agenda highlights In light of Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks against Israel and the unfolding tragic scenes in the Gaza Strip resulting from the siege, President Charles Michel has convened an extraordinary European Council meeting, to be held by video conference on Tuesday 17 October […]
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Conference “The European Union and its Global Challenges”.
The European Documentation Centre in Almeria is organising the conference “The European Union and its global challenges” on 20 October. The conference, which will be held in person in the Salón de Grados of the Government Building and Paraninfo of the University of Almeria and will be simultaneously broadcast in streaming through our YouTube channel, […]
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European Commission sets out instruments to manage demographic change in the European Union
The Commission has adopted a Communication presenting a set of policy tools available to Member States for managing demographic change and its impacts on the EU’s society and economy, including its global competitiveness. The Communication outlines the wide range of tools (including regulatory instruments, policy frameworks and funding) available to Member States to do so. […]
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Commission triples humanitarian assistance for Gaza
President Ursula von der Leyen spoke to the Secretary General of the UN António Guterres this afternoon, in the context of her on-going contacts with regional leaders. Following this call, she said: “The Commission will immediately increase the current humanitarian aid envelope foreseen for Gaza by 50 million euros. This will bring the total to over 75 million […]
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